Environmental issues

Does group foraging promote efficient exploitation of resources?

Article Abstract:

Simulations to explore the costs and benefits of exploiting non-renewing resources by foragers searching for food patches independently or in groups in habitats with different types of resources distribution. Group foragers exploited resources in a patch more quickly and therefore spent proportionately more time locating new patches.

Functional responses in polar bear habitat selection

Article Abstract:

Habitat selection occurs when there is disproportional use of some habitats (e.g. with abundant forage) over others (e.g. safer retreat habitats with little forage). In a study on habitat selection, polar bears showed season and population specific functional responses in habitat use.